Exalted 3E - Tale of a Falling Empire IC

[D. Rex]

This sort of battle was beyond him. That of hearts and the manipulation therein. He knew better than to open his mouth an take part. There wouldn't be any need, Manato was doing a great job anyway.

The Illuminated were seeming to be a very tenacious bunch. He'd agree with Manato... they clearly seemed more interested in incitement than any actual change. It was them who were using the civilians of Kendara to their own ideals... just like anathema.


Still, Fel felt the need to remain present, having positioned himself behind and beside Satori, and not just for the view. No, this was actually a bit more important. He stood close to make sure that there were no attempts on the Satrap's life. Manato and Satori were boxing the Illuminated into a corner, so there was no telling how their rabid minds would lash out.


He was ready to defend Satori as need be, or pull her from danger or step between should someone try for her.


[Not quite sure which mecha ic I should be going for. But Fel is focused on guarding Satori.]

 

[jaydude]

From her observation spot, Asuna spots a few of her own spies within the crowd - two of them among the Jinlong supporters - but otherwise sees nothing of note. From her observations of the crowd, as well as her knowledge of intrigue, she gets the impression that the Jinlong supporters are hoping to undermine Satori and Manato's attempts at reconciliation, and perhaps provoke them into attacking, thereby further souring relations.

[Assuming the crowd has an average Guile of 2, which is reduced to zero due to them being unaware that Asuna's watching them, Asuna gets five successes.]

The guards surrounding Satori spread out, allowing everyone in the crowd to better see Manato as he speaks. His words - particularly his warning that the failings of the Realm Dynasts could easily be replicated by Jinlong - do appear to resonate with many of the crowd, namely those who are yet undecided about which side to take, but an equal number of people, including the supporters of the speaker, seem unmoved by what he has to say.

[Assuming that the crowd has an average Resolve of 2, all four of Manato's rolls succeed with a few hundred of the "neutral" and less zealous people. For the Inspire roll, you can assume that the people affected will be less willing to just put their hopes in an alleged savior.]

The speaker's eyes narrow as he recognizes Manato from a few nights ago, before he chuckles and smiles. "You speak as though your supposed goal and my supposed goal are at odds." he says loudly, raising his hands up to waist level with palms facing towards the sky, as if lightheartedly trying to clear up a misunderstanding. "What you claim to be offering the people of Kandara is precisely what Jinlong wants to give them. The chance to forge their own destiny, free from oppression and tyranny. I've merely opened the eyes of the people to that possibly, after they spent centuries blinded by false Immaculate dogma."

"If you say that the Immaculate Philosophy is wrong about the Anathema, and that Jinlong has only good intentions towards Kandara, then how do you explain the butchery of our army at the hands of her beastmen, as Manato here has just alluded to?" Satori calls out, walking up to stand next to the Fire Aspect and glare at the speaker.

The speaker shakes his head, and continues to smile. "The Realm garrison were almost entirely foreigners, and a tool of your control over us. Why should we care what happens to them?" he asks. "So far, Jinlong and her people have done us no harm, but the same cannot be said for you and your people, satrap."

"I recognize that my council and I have mistreated the populace of Kandara in the years following the disappearance of the Empress. Jinlong herself is a foe of my own making. That's why we're trying to change our ways." replies Satori, the satrap clearly finding it a lot easier to admit her mistakes when she has an excuse to do so in a mildly haughty manner. "If you truly have good intentions here, you'll take your cult and leave this kingdom, instead of inviting its people to sacrifice themselves."

Another smile and shake of the head. "That will never happen." he declares softly. "And you'll forgive me if I don't immediately take the word of a Dynast these days. If you want us gone...you'll have to kill us all."

 

[Rykon]

"You aim for prosperity? You just endorsed slaughtering people without a second thought of the cost. You'll forgive me if I fail to see why any word you speak should be trusted either." Manato retaliated with the speaker's own turn of phrase. Whatever misunderstanding he tried to clear up only dug a deeper grave in the fire aspect's eyes.

"In fact, why should any of these people think you would give an iota of concern for them against your 'blind' faith in some majestic golden queen? Seems like our plan is immaterial when it comes to you revealing your own monstrosity. Whatever end you claim to aim for will never be achieved when your means are drenched in the blood of Kandara's neighbors. Even Jinlong herself claims prosperity on her bloodstained conquest after mere days. Both of you are just as blind and deluded as you say the people here have been." Manato made a theatrical display of disappointment in the speaker's response.

"And now you call for us to kill all of you? What, are both of you puppets of the Mask of Winters now? Do you intend to open a shadowland and march another rotting beast here? As if death is the only option." Manato laughed. "You are really quick to spill the blood of the people, whether here or afar. You will be made to depart, but it won't be because we have to kill you. It will be because your bloodlust-fueled incompetence will open the people's eyes and they will throw you out as a disturber of the peace. Either that or the hunt catches up with your memory corrupting ways Anathema. Sooner or later, your heartless quest for power will be your own undoing."

"Lady Satori, I think we're done wasting everyone's time with his hypocrisy and contradictions. Regardless of his efforts, we still have our duties to the people of Kandara. I think it time for them to be informed of the new course, yes?" Manato inquired with a short, respectful bow to yield the floor.

[Manato activates Hidden Petal Aria to weave a selective influence in his oration. The target is the pro-dynastic faction and supporters, but primarily Satori and her court. By highlighting the evils of their opposition's actions, words, and general attitude the goal is to inspire boldness in the righteousness of our course and that we are doing the right thing in spite of their stubborn stance. I'll add a full excellency in just as botch insurance and because this technically includes a fair swath of the crowd at this point.

That's 7 Successes to Inspire Boldness]

 

[Sherwood]

Larissa is silent during this, keeping her eyes on the crowd for any signs of danger to Lady Satori or the others with her. She is hardly the most political of Exalts, and knowing how she is, it would probably be a bad thing to speak up right now.

 

[jaydude]

Satori's council and the pro-Realm crowd both look emboldened by Manato's words, though the satrap also gives Manato a small frown. One that's been on her face ever since he started insinuating that Jinlong might be a bloodthirsty conqueror. Still, she steps forward and opens her mouth to continue speaking from where she left off, only for the speaker to immediately interrupt her.

"When you speak the words 'bloodstained conquest', do you refer to Jinlong's liberation of Yangofu, perchance?" he asks Manato.

"Perhaps he does. I don't have the ability to read his mind, nor do I know everything that Jinlong's done since she left this kingdom." Satori replies while narrowing her eyes, an air of irritation mixed with suspicion about her. "What of it?"

The speaker smiles. "Tell me something. Do you believe that Yangofu was a well-off place before Jinlong came to it? Have any of you actually been there within the past few years?" he asks, addressing not just Satori, but Manato and the rest of you. Even though he almost sounds amicable, Satori can't help but tense up a little at the question.

 

[Random Word]

Asuna sets her cup down and leans forward slightly, interest piqued. The crowd is not her concern today, but managing the mental state of the principal participants certainly is. What troubles that pretty face? We can't have that. She studies Satori's expression and body language closely as the speakers clash. She whispers to the wind, "You look troubled, and not by the boorish crowd. I don't like seeing you upset. Tell me about it later."

Her eyes flick over to the afternoon's other great mystery - the unexpectedly competent cult mouthpiece. She studies the way he carries himself, his speech patterns, mannerisms, and even the rhythm of his breathing to see if this is the mysterious - and rather terrifying - vanishing cultist in disguise.

Spoiler: Mechanics

Read Intentions against Satori to find out why she's concerned about portraying Jinlong as a bloodthirsty conqueror.
I don't recall Satori's guile being incredibly high, so I won't put essence in.

Perception 2 + Socialize 5 + Stunt 2 = 9; 2 hits

I'm just going to attempt to pierce a disguise, if any, of the cultist leader. Asuna is passable at Perception + Awareness, so she'll spend essence. She's primarily interested in figuring out if this is the same person they attempted and failed to arrest, and thus whether she should try to assassinate him.

Perception 2 + Awareness 3 + 3m Awareness Excellency + Stunt 2 = 10; 4 hits

 

[jaydude]

From what Asuna can tell, Satori isn't entirely convinced that - despite what Manato might think - Jinlong would play the part of a violent warmonger based on what she remembers of her former handmaiden, even if she does believe the Immaculate Philosophy's position on Anathema. And she likely hadn't anticipated Manato trying to go down that route this morning. The satrap's reaction to the speaker's question all but confirms that it's a loaded one, with an implication that things in Yangofu were very bad prior to Jinlong's arrival.

With regards to the speaker himself, Asuna's eyes and memory appear to play tricks on her, but that doesn't stop her from confirming that he is indeed the same man who she and the others tried to arrest a few nights ago.

 

[Rykon]

The fire aspect's eyes narrowed, growing tired of the debate. "Why do you think I'm out here prancing about like some show pony?" Manato asked pointedly. "My nation is being corrupted by dissidents like you, turning people to anathema cults, provoking my kin into high foolishness, warping peoples very minds with foul magic, and inviting foreign forces to overturn it all. You want to pretend to be the mouthpiece for some great liberator, but you disregard lives as irrelevant conveniently when they are the cost for your golden goddess's throne. Enough! Enough death!" Manato lowered his voice from the fervent tone he had reached, yet addressed the entire crowd.

"Why should we wait to set what is wrong right? We assembled here today have the ability to steer Kandara back on course for a better tomorrow, right here and now. Are you going to stand here and pout because it's not your new golden queen doing the work for you?"

 

[jaydude]

Satori looks relieved - and the speaker looks annoyed - at Manato managing to verbally avoid the trap that has been set for him. The speaker soon recovers, however.

"No. But I will express doubt that you and your fellow Dragon-blooded can safeguard Creation on your own." he says. "Know this. We seek only to spread the truth. The world as we know it was nearly destroyed by the forces of the Underworld and the Wyld without the Solar and Lunar Exalted here to protect it. With the Scarlet Empress now gone, the world once again approaches ruin. The destruction of Thorns and the rise of the Mask of Winters is proof of this. Unless the Threshold broadens its horizons, it will fall to death and chaos, its inhabitants spending their last breaths cursing themselves for spurning those they called Anathema."

Satori folds her arms, looking unimpressed, as Sengon makes a declaration of his own. "Or perhaps the Empress will return, or a new Dragon-blooded champion will emerge to take her place." he says. "It was not an Anathema who saved this world from the Balorian Crusade, but a Dragon-blooded. Since then we have watched over this world, a shining beacon of civilization, and we will continue to do so. In time, this age of tumult will be little more than a footnote in history."

The speaker chuckles again. "Perhaps." he says, not looking convinced. "I think I've said enough. It's clear that you're all set in your ways, and I'm not going to give you the satisfaction of seeing me throw the first blow here."

He looks at Satori. "What is it you have to say, Satrap?" he asks mockingly.

Satori gives him another glare, then informs the crowd of the council's creation, making clear that it is a decision born from her failings. Those who were won over by Manato's earlier words look cautiously optimistic, at least at the prospect of no longer being directly ruled by Satori and her Dynast council, but the supporters of Jinlong look unconvinced that things will work out in the long term. Finally Satori concludes her speech, and the speaker turns to his people.

"The satrap has spoken!" he declares. "Now all there is left to do is wait, and see how long she holds to this plan!"

From the sound of his voice, he clearly doesn't think it'll be very long. Nevertheless, he and the rest of his people all turn around and start to leave. Satori lets out a relieved sigh, then turns to Manato and Fel.

"It took me a lot of effort to not start carving people up with my daiklave." she admits in whispered High Realm.

[Pass. What does everyone want to do now?]

 

[D. Rex]

Satori looks relieved - and the speaker looks annoyed - at Manato managing to verbally avoid the trap that has been set for him. The speaker soon recovers, however.

"No. But I will express doubt that you and your fellow Dragon-blooded can safeguard Creation on your own." he says. "Know this. We seek only to spread the truth. The world as we know it was nearly destroyed by the forces of the Underworld and the Wyld without the Solar and Lunar Exalted here to protect it. With the Scarlet Empress now gone, the world once again approaches ruin. The destruction of Thorns and the rise of the Mask of Winters is proof of this. Unless the Threshold broadens its horizons, it will fall to death and chaos, its inhabitants spending their last breaths cursing themselves for spurning those they called Anathema."

Satori folds her arms, looking unimpressed, as Sengon makes a declaration of his own. "Or perhaps the Empress will return, or a new Dragon-blooded champion will emerge to take her place." he says. "It was not an Anathema who saved this world from the Balorian Crusade, but a Dragon-blooded. Since then we have watched over this world, a shining beacon of civilization, and we will continue to do so. In time, this age of tumult will be little more than a footnote in history."

The speaker chuckles again. "Perhaps." he says, not looking convinced. "I think I've said enough. It's clear that you're all set in your ways, and I'm not going to give you the satisfaction of seeing me throw the first blow here."

He looks at Satori. "What is it you have to say, Satrap?" he asks mockingly.

Satori gives him another glare, then informs the crowd of the council's creation, making clear that it is a decision born from her failings. Those who were won over by Manato's earlier words look cautiously optimistic, at least at the prospect of no longer being directly ruled by Satori and her Dynast council, but the supporters of Jinlong look unconvinced that things will work out in the long term. Finally Satori concludes her speech, and the speaker turns to his people.

"The satrap has spoken!" he declares. "Now all there is left to do is wait, and see how long she holds to this plan!"

From the sound of his voice, he clearly doesn't think it'll be very long. Nevertheless, he and the rest of his people all turn around and start to leave. Satori lets out a relieved sigh, then turns to Manato and Fel.

"It took me a lot of effort to not start carving people up with my daiklave." she admits in whispered High Realm.

[Pass. What does everyone want to do now?]

"As unpleasant as it is to stomach the blasphemers... there will come a perverse satisfaction at proving them wrong." He then chuckles. "I can imagine this cultists face contorting in anger for every passing day his prophecies of your behavior are proven false."

"In the meantime, perhaps you should find some other outlets to relieve your pent up frustrations." The air aspect told her bemusedly. "Plenty of blood is going to be spilled in the coming days. He will not be safe then." His voice as low as hers.


[Also pass]

 

[Rykon]

"I know. Lots of people love when the lady is quick to reach for the Daiklave. It's a little weird to find a whole crowd that doesn't." Manato delivered his crude joke in a similarly quiet, but deadpan tone. He gave Satori a smile and a comforting pat on the back, pretending as if he hadn't just let his clownish reflex loose. In private he pondered whether his vanishing restraint was from familiarity or fatigue.

"Nevertheless, it was certainly a hard-won victory, but it's yours to enjoy all the same. Fel is right. Seeing that cohort flail miserably against all of the people that chose to put their faith in you already feels pretty great and it will only get better from here. So to Fel's point, why not blow off some steam and celebrate with us?" He offered, tone warming up through a noticeable but clearing fog of stress. The stakes of the moment may not be equal, the chaos not as grand, but it was his battlefield all the same and his focus was no less sharp for the fight.

"I know you've been really busy, but I'm confident we can make a little private party worth your time." He added flirtatiously with a wink. Manato offered his arm politely to escort her regardless of expecting a palanquin nearby. In light of today's events and her blessedly contained fury, the fire aspect thought it best to preserve her dignity while drawing her attention and emotions to far less aggravating horizons.

[Rather than leaving Satori to dwell in anger, Manato is going to respond with three instills. The first to reinforce the tie of affection with goofy humor, the second to create a tie of appreciation/gratitude for the people that decided to trust her, the third for lust to cause a bit of mischief. The goal here is getting leverage to break down sadistic tendencies/intimacies later on.

Using presence excellencies as normal and adding Warm Faced Seduction style for the final roll.

8 on instill/reinforce affection
6 on instill gratitude
12 on instill lust]

[Also pass, I think we've accomplished quite a bit this scene.]

 

[jaydude]

Satori smiles and takes Manato's arm, allowing him to lead her back towards the stagecoach that took them all to the square. "I think I would very much enjoy a private party with you and your friends." she says, lightly stroking his arm in a seductive manner.

Spoiler: OOC

The Instill rolls for both Gratitude and Lust succeed. As for the first one, Satori already has a Minor Tie of affection towards Manato. Are you hoping to strengthen that to a Major Tie? Because you're going to need to exploit another Intimacy to do that, and it's not too clear whether you're trying to do so.

Since I'm skipping ahead a bit, I'll let you know now that in terms of relationships, both Satori and Cynis Harun will be fine engaging in casual sex/being friends with benefits with Manato and Asuna, but at this point there won't be anything more than that. Also, I may have alluded to this with his attitude towards Fel at the gala, but Javald actually has a similar relationship with Satori, only he's not too keen on others getting involved. Considering his current position though, he's not going to do anything besides exhibit mild jealousy towards anyone else sleeping with Satori.

The next couple of days pass without further incident. More reinforcements arrive at the city, and efforts to both prepare for the siege and restore mortal faith in the Realm and Dynasts continue, with the five of you presumably assisting however you see fit. Then one afternoon, the head of a merchant caravan that has traveled to the city comes to the gates of the Satrap's Palace and requests an audience with Kandara's rulers.

In reflection of the new state of affairs within the kingdom, Boroma sits upon a grand throne within the palace's main hall, with Sagacious Owl, Satori, Javald, Kirito, Voruna and Zadari all stood off to the side of him (any of you who wish to attend will be in the same general position). In spite of only being twelve years old, the young king sits atop his throne with the bearing of a man at least twice his age and worldly experience, his youth if anything making him look more impressive as he listens to the caravan leader's story.

"We were travelling to the city with goods we intended to trade - mostly food - on behalf of Nellens Mabuka." says the mortal man. "About two days travel from the city though, we were ambushed by a group of riders, men and women armed and armored in the fashion of the Marukani."

"The Marukani?" Tahaki asks skeptically from the "public" area of the main hall, where the courtiers who are mortals, outcaste Dragon-blooded and Dynasts not as involved in the kingdom's defense of the city as you five are gathered. "How can that be? The Marukani are based in the Scavenger Lands far north of here."

"I know what I saw." the caravan leader insists. "But in any case, not all of them had the physical features of the Marukani."

"My guess is that they came from other lands, but were trained and equipped in the Marukani style in the hope of emulating them. The Marukani are, after all, a notable cavalry power." says Kirito.

The caravan leader nods his head a little as if seeing the logic there, before continuing his story. "Indeed. They were led by a young man in demon gold lamellar armor with a green surcoat, who wore a helm of the same material that resembled a dragon's head and possessed a long white plume. He also had a daiklave of some sort; white jade and demon gold, with a yasal crystal embedded into the guard."

The eyes of Boroma and Satori's council all widen a little at these statements, and it's not hard for you to figure out why. Besides the daiklave, this description matches that of one of the Anathema Kirito saw marching with Jinlong.

[Hold.]

 

[Random Word]

Asuna clucks her tongue disapprovingly. "We cede the initiative. Given troops I would sally forth to see these raiders put to the sword. A defeat of Jinlong's van would do much for morale, and every Anathema lost or wounded before the battle serves our cause. To strike an enemy divided is divine."

 

[Rykon]

"Are we certain they are in fact separated from the army at large?" Manato inquires with genuine curiosity. "Do we have any scouts or spirits with eyes on their positions and progress? Even still, could we keep up with their maneuverability? You'd be a better judge of such things than I would."

 

[Sherwood]

Larissa looks over at Manato and says, "I can fly out and do a recon of the situation. It would be simple enough to do so."

 

[Rykon]

Manato nods, "If you can confirm their position without getting into too much trouble it'll be a big help Larissa."

 

[jaydude]

The discussion between the three of you is interrupted when Boroma looks in your direction and slowly raises a hand in a call for silence.

"That may indeed be a prudent course of action, but for the moment I have other questions." he says, before looking back at the caravan leader. "You say you were ambushed by these horsemen. What happened afterwards?"

The caravan leader clears his throat, now looking a bit uncertain. "Well, they made no move to attack us. Instead they only surrounded us, before their leader - the man in the demon-gold armor - rode up to me and asked where we were going. I asked him why he cared, and he said that he was in service to Jinlong, and that groups of her outriders were scouting the countryside around this city. I accused him of being an Anathema, but he denied it, saying that he was a 'Solar Exalted' or something."

The audience, about several dozen strong, all murmur among themselves at this.

"Yes, I understand a number of Anathema have made similar claims." says Boroma, before gesturing for the man to continue.

The caravan leader then becomes visibly confused as he recalls the next part of his story. "We talked. He spoke Riverspeak with the accent of a Realm patrician, and even looked the part of a man born on the Blessed Isle. He was nothing but cordial and respectful towards me, if a bit formal. I admitted that I was taking my wares to this city, to bring relief to its people on behalf of Nellens Mabuka, but told him that I would never surrender to him. The Immaculate Philosophy urges us to resist the commands of the Anathema, after all, and I am willing to do that even at the cost of my life."

He sounds almost sycophantic there, but at the same time genuine, and the crowd murmurs in approval for the man's devoutness and bravery, even if some of them suspect he was motivated more by a selfish hope of eventually reincarnating as a Dragon-blooded.

"And yet you are stood before us, and very much alive." Boroma comments.

The caravan leader nods. "We fought. The Anathema unhorsed me with a blow from the flat of his daiklave. His horsemen used nets, bolas and clubs to subdue my guards without killing them. After that, they disarmed us and searched our goods, and the Anathema questioned me further. Eventually they decided that we were indeed bringing relief supplies to this city, and..." he gathers himself, "...they let us go on."

---

The reaction of those in the hall is to descend into near-uproar. Satori and Kirito all recoil in shock, Boroma and the others show looks of clear disbelief, and the audience becomes the source of several confused and incredulous exclamations.

"They let you go? Just like that?" Kirito asks once things have quietened and calmed down a bit, the man acting like he's just heard an awful joke.

"I swear by all the Dragons that I'm not making this up!" the caravan leader replies loudly, the man seemingly afraid that he'll be lynched as an Anathema sympathizer any second now. He then elaborates, as if convinced that adding additional details will make his story sound more believable. "The Anathema said that he and Jinlong's other forces had been told by her to let through any supplies to the people of Kandara! They even treated our wounded and offered to escort us to within sight of the city, to make sure our supplies arrived safely!"

Or perhaps he's trying to make his story sound unbelievable enough to appear true.

 

[Sherwood]

Larissa raises up an eyebrow, looking at the man. "Perhaps what you are saying is true. Perhaps. It may be that this invading army is trying to win the support of the people. But we should be able to determine the truthfulness of your statement soon enough." She begins to pepper the man with questions, attempting to see if his story changes in any way as he answers.

This is before any stunt bonuses, if any.

 

[jaydude]

[The caravan leader has Guile 2. I'll allow both rolls to succeed, however.]

Boroma and the rest of his court are content to listen as Larissa questions the man over the next five minutes. She learns that he has been working for Mabuka for seven years, subscribes to the Immaculate Philosophy, does not hail from either Kandara or Yangofu, and has not traveled to the latter kingdom since Jinlong's takeover. Nothing he says indicates to Larissa that he has any reason to serve the Anathema.

He continues to insist that his story is true, and the magistrate is unable to make him leak any contradictions in it. If the man does have a goal here, it's to pass on information about these most unusual events to Satori and Boroma.

 

[Random Word]

At Manato's question Asuna waves dismissively, "I've read about Marukani cavalry. They're excellent auxiliaries, but the question isn't whether we can keep up with them. We don't need to. This Golden Bandit wishes to raid our caravans, we do not wish him to. For any essential caravan, he must bring us to battle." The implication being we need only find a caravan with a cargo the Golden Bandit cannot refuse. Like, say, the treasury of Kandara being shipped to a neighbouring Satrapy for safe keeping. Jinlong needs that cash if she's to avoid pillaging Yangofu to carry the budget of Kandara.

---

Asuna looks vaguely insulted. "Jinlong is overconfident. She maximizes the governability of a city she believes already captured. She cannot lay siege to a city while she permits caravans of food to pass through. She depends entirely now upon traitors or her Anathema shapeshifters to see the gates thrown open for her, or one of her Anathema's ability to breach the walls. Should she fail in this, she will have to order her raiders to seize food shipments, and will come to deeply regret permitting these early shipments through."

She continues matter of factly, as if halting intrusion by Anathema is routine and well understood, "There is a standard practice for defending a city from shapeshifters. Ensure no small group and no great feat of strength can quickly open the gates from within - remove chains, reinforce doors, and post your most loyal soldiers in the gatehouses. Establish a flag for each gate, and set a flagpole atop the three best defended structures in the city. Once siege protocols are initiated, if the gate's flag is not run up on all three the gate is not to be opened under any circumstances. Opening a gate should require the presence of three senior officials. One shapeshifter is certain, two possible, but three shapeshifters with the skins of senior officials is very unlikely." And we have bigger problems at that point. This is all already clearly laid out in the city defense plans, but in the face of a dire threat sometimes the court needs to hear calm confidence to restore their own.

"Once she realizes the gates will not be thrown open to her, we must concern ourselves with shapeshifters poisoning food or water supplies, and any supplies Jinlong permits through must be tested for poison and disease. We have contingencies for all of this. She fails to take this war seriously at her peril - either her naivete will break, or she will." I will slap the overconfidence right off her face if she insists on treating me like some kind of joke. I merely need to be given the opportunity.

 

[jaydude]

Kirito nods in response to Asuna's suggestions regarding the gates and supplies, before looking at the caravan leader. "Where are your wares right now?" he asks.

"My master Mabuka is having them checked before he begins distributing them. I told him what I just told you, and he had similar suspicions to..." the caravan leader says, before indicating Asuna.

The Water Aspect's attention is then drawn to a newly visible figure from within the audience, who she quickly recognizes as one of her people. He catches her eye, and then makes a series of casual gestures that - to no-one but her - convey a nonverbal message.

We have received word from our people within enemy forces. Check nearest dead drop location at earliest convenience.

As this is happening, Boroma decides to address the information he and his court have just received. "This is certainly surprising news, that Jinlong would permit supplies to reach a city she intends to besiege." he says. "Let us hope it is overconfidence, rather than justified confidence, that she is acting on here. Or perhaps we should consider that she has decided to abandon her campaign for this kingdom?"

Another low wave of murmuring washes over the court, most of it doubt that an Anathema would shirk the chance to do something evil. Boroma doesn't look surprised at this reaction, and he directly addresses the caravan master. "Whatever the case, you have my thanks for bringing this to the attention of me and my court."

The caravan leader bows low. "Glad to be of service, your majesty."

[Skip]

 

[Rykon]

Manato watches and listens to Boroma intently trying to decipher whether he is intending to make his audience question their hostilities to Anathema or not and whether he harbors potentially treasonous beliefs. In the moment he gives Larissa a brief worried look, hinting that she might want to do the same.

Tell me this kid isn't foolish enough to follow his father's footsteps... He's putting way too much effort into bringing both their position of strength and the appearance of virtue into the spotlight. He's either in league with them or unintentionally making them look better when trying to act wise. This climate is too volatile for this kind of behavior to continue in the middle of a heated culture war.

[Full Socialize Excellency for 2 successes on read intentions.

5 total successes]

 

[jaydude]

From what Manato can tell, Boroma meant nothing more than to try and inject a bit of humor into the room with his remark. He certainly didn't intend to commit sedition against the Realm. At the same time though, he can't help but wonder why Jinlong let the supplies through if she truly intends to seize control of the kingdom.

 

[Rykon]

Manato groans in frustration, rubbing at his eyes. He decided to speak his mind before his own silent thoughts ignited his temper more than it already had been. "Can we stop pretending to be surprised by this development? We already know Jinlong intends to make herself look good in the eyes of the people and to make Satori, and the Realm by extension, look like devils. Observe the fucking cult outside. We already know they planned to get people to merely open the gates and let their chosen saviors walk right in here and behead us. Observe the hate mail she delivered to us and the very testimony we gave of the cult leader's own words. Can we also stop being impressed when their actions continue to line up with this strategy? Thanks."

Manato lit his pipe and took a deep inhalation of smoke before speaking with a touch less irritation in his tired voice. "I get it. The idea that they would 'just let us have supplies' is unthinkable, unorthodox, and befuddling... to most... but... by now they have to know that if they took the people's food, I would not hesitate to drag their names through shit riddled mud in the square in front of every witness capable of hearing my voice not even fifteen minutes from now or they aren't even opponents worth considering a threat. These supplies, I might add, should be arriving by port and not land for the foreseeable future. I empathize with those in this room feeling insulted and underestimated. We can't be seen counting on the charity of our foe. We are Dragons, not some domesticated pets. Make no mistake, this was still an attack. The pain just hasn't caught up yet... For some of us, anyway."

The fire aspect turned about, pipe still in his mouth fuming like a chimney. "Now if I can borrow a few of you, we have territorial spirits to placate..."

[Pass. We've yet to address the issue of getting the local spirit court on our side. I'd prefer that be done before our enemy arrives, even if it's off-screen.]

 

[jaydude]

"Manato is right." says Kirito, the Water Aspect looking angry at himself. "We should not underestimate our foes, or constrain our way of thinking when it comes to them".

"Indeed. That remark I made was a mistake." Boroma says, before looking at the Fire Aspect. "May I ask how you intend to deal with the spirits, Manato?"